Integrating remote follow-up into electronic health records workflow

•Workflow was redesigned so that data from implanted pacemakers and ICD׳s could be imported directly into HER.•Data were imported as discrete information, making records more searchable.•Time spent per patient was reduced from 19 to 3.5 min with no compromise in patient care.•New workflow allows device nurses to spend more time with patient and less on clerical tasks.

BackgroundThe Colorado Health Medical Group, Cardiology (formerly Heart Center of the Rockies) is a paperless clinic which follows about 4000 cardiac rhythm management device patients and relies heavily on advanced remote follow-up and remote monitoring features.MethodsWorking with a device manufacturer and our own information technology team, we were able to redesign our workflow procedures so that data downloaded from devices could be imported directly into our electronic health records with no need to manually populate any templates. We were able to import device data as discrete information, making records more readily searchable.ResultsWith this revised workflow, we were able to transition from about 19 min per patient to about 3.5 min with no compromise in patient care. The new workflow allows device nurses to spend more time engaging with patients and reviewing clinical data and less time managing clerical tasks. Although not captured in this study, our improved workflow also helped us schedule all reimbursable remote and in-clinic follow-ups without fail.ConclusionsWith technical support from the institution and the device company, device clinics can develop systems to import remote follow-up data directly into electronic medical records allowing for more efficient workflows and time savings.